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Chegaga desert tour, Dades Valley, Aït ben Haddou – 4 days – overview
South of Ouarzazate lies two spectacular Sahara desert dune areas. So why not take this 4-day desert tour from Ouarzazate combining them both? Nomadic desert existence is so different from elsewhere and this trip offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This trip comprises the dunes of Erg Lihoudi in M’hamid, the gate to the Sahara, and the remote and wild Erg Chegaga. An opportunity to ride camels and witness the gradual, unforgettable sunset makes this trip the adventure of a lifetime. An evening of music with the nomads round a campfire in each desert area will serve to make you one with desert nomadic life.
You will enjoy splendid views of rock and oases in the Atlas Mountains, and stroll in the Dra’a Valley with its adobe-built villages, multiple palm trees, seasonal rivers, and green oases. The pottery co-operatives with their famous green glaze pots in Tamgroute, and the ancient Qoranic library with magnificent Arab manuscripts are unique in the valley.
There are two famous Kasbahs to be explored; Kasbah Tamnougalte in the Dra’a Valley, and Kasbah Aït ben Haddou, the most famous Kasbah in Morocco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The last day of the trip goes east parallel to the Alas Mountains to another special spot in this part of the country; the Dades Gorges with ever-changing landscapes in between.
Chegaga desert tour, Dades Valley & Gorge, Aït ben Haddou – highlights:
- Crossing the Anti-Atlas Mountains and the extraordinary rock landscape over the Tizi-n-Tinfifte pass
- Admiring the grandeur of Morocco’s famous Kasbahs: Ksar Ait Ben Haddou, Kasbah Amredhil, and Kasbah Tamnougalte
- Off-roading through the ancient caravan route in the Dra’a Valley, palm groves, and numerous Berber villages
- Learning about traditional crafts, including the green pottery workshops in Tamgroute and Berber rug-making in Taznakht
- Enjoying a camel ride to see the spectacular sunset, experiencing sandboarding, and capturing memorable photos
- Enjoying dinners under the starlit sky and evenings of nomad music and drumming around a campfire
- Two magical nights in your private tents in nomad luxury camps nestled among the big dunes of Erg Lihoudi and Erg Chegaga
What is included:
- Transport in a private air-conditioned vehicle; 4×4 Toyota Prado TX and fuel
- Experienced local English/French/Spanish/Italian-speaking Berber and nomad driver-guide
- Accommodation in air-conditioned rooms/suites with private bathroom
- Two nights in a luxury desert camp in the Erg Lihoudi and the Erg Chegaga Dunes in private & comfortable nomadic tents equipped a private toilet and shower and traditional Moroccan furnishings
- All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner – with vegetarian and vegan options available
- A camel ride with a guide. And if you wish to do some sandboarding, just speak to the camp staff!
- Luggage service to the camp and all accommodation
- Berber drumming and music
- Free time to explore the sites such as the Dra’a Valley, Kasbah Tamnougalte, for walks, photos, and tea/coffee breaks
- The opportunity to ask the driver to stop when and where you wish
- Entrance fees and local guide
- Tea, coffee and mineral water in the desert
What is not included:
- Drinks
- Tips
- Extras
Know before you go:
- This Ouarzazate desert tour can be customised to accommodate your individual interests
- Activities such as a full day’s trekking or an extra day in the Erg Chegaga dunes can be added to this tour from Ouarzazate
- Here is a downloadable packing list to help plan for your Moroccan desert tour
- We require a 30% deposit of the total price to book the car, while the balance is payable to us in the office in Ouarzazate
- We accept payment through PayPal, bank transfers in Europe, by credit card, or cash (USD, Euro, GBP or MAD)
- We offer a 25% discount for all children under 12, while, in any one family, one child below 3 can travel free of charge
- These prices are liable to fluctuation according to the current exchange rate
- Our prices can be subject to an increase over the busy season, and, in particular, the Christmas and New Year’s Eve period
Chegaga desert tour, Dades Valley & Gorge, Aït ben Haddou – itinerary:
1st day: Ouarzazate – M’hamid El Ghizlane
Departing from your hotel at 8:30 a.m. in a 4×4, you set off on your 4-day desert tour from Ouarzazate to the Erg Chegaga dunes. You will journey over the Anti-Atlas Mountains and through the Tizi-n-Tinfifte pass, reaching Agdz, a oasis town renowned for its diverse palm date varieties.
As you start to descend the mountains, you will be captivated by the stunning views of the vast green oases and countless palm trees, marking the beginning of the Dra’a Valley. Agdz lies along the ancient caravan route that once transported goods from Mali and Niger across the vast Sahara Desert. Today, its abundant palm groves yield an impressive 44 varieties of dates.
For a short while, you drive off-road through the Dra’a Valley, navigating between the mountains and the Dra’a River, passing numerous villages to gain insight into the way of life in southern Morocco. You will stop to visit Kasbah Tamnougalte, the oldest kasbah in the valley. Some parts of the kasbah are still inhabited, while others, particularly the Jewish quarter, are now crumbling and abandoned.
From here, you travel south along the ancient caravan route to Zagora, the largest oasis in the valley and the venue for today’s lunch. Just outside of Zagora, you will visit the local green pottery co-operatives and an old Quranic library in Tamgroute village.
In the afternoon, your Sahara adventure continues further south to M’hamid El Ghizlane, the gateway to the Sahara and the end of the paved road.
You have dinner and spend the night in a luxury camp with a private bathroom and king-sized beds with the dunes in close proximity for a short wander.
2nd day: M’hamid El Ghizlane – Erg Chegaga dunes
Wake up early to catch the sunrise from the top of the dunes, followed by some free time to wander through the dunes. Afterwards, return to camp for breakfast before you set out on your adventure to explore the region.
You cross the frequently dry Dra’a River to reach the old village of M’hamid, where houses are made entirely of adobe. This traditional building material effectively keeps out the summer’s searing heat due to the thickness of the walls. As you explore the village, you will gain insights into life in this harsh yet beautiful environment.
After lunch, the journey takes you to the Erg Cheggaga dunes (300 m) about 60 km away. The drive is slow as it passes the different features of the desert; ‘erg’ dunes, ‘hammada’ stony desert, and oases.
Having arrived at the campsite you settle into your tent and enjoy a relaxing glass of tea and Moroccan biscuits. Afterwards, you embark on a camel ride to the summit of the Erg Chegaga dunes (300m) to witness the sunset. These dunes are far from any village, deep in the Sahara, where the silence and the vast expanse of sand are truly awe-inspiring.
Dinner and the night will once again be in a luxury camp, with all the amenities of the first desert night in M’hamid.
3rd day: Eag Chegaga dunes – Kasbah Aït ben Haddou
Rise early to witness a breathtaking sunrise, where the hues of the dunes and the interplay of shadows create an unforgettable spectacle. Take time to explore the dunes and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of this enchanting setting.
After breakfast, you will embark on a journey to cross another 90km of the desert, heading in the opposite direction and experiencing a variety of scenery, including Lake Iriqui, the mountains, and fossil sites. Following this, you will travel west along the historic “Rally Paris-Dakar” track until you reach Foum Zguid, the first village after the desert, where you will have lunch.
Afterwards, you will drive north on paved roads, passing by stunning rock formations, and arrive at the small town of Taznakht, renowned for its Berber carpets and rugs. If you’re interested, you can visit a display room to see looms and women at work.
Turning back east, you will cross Ouarzazate and arrive at Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou by late afternoon. You will spend the night in a beautiful guest house overlooking the Kasbah.
The night is spent in a riad in the new village.
4th day: Aït ben Haddou – Dades Gorges – Ouarzazate
After breakfast, you will visit Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou, the oldest and most well-known of Morocco’s Kasbahs. In 1987 this Kasbah became one of the nine UNESCO World Heritage sites in Morocco.
From here, your adventure continues to the Skoura Oasis, where you will stop to visit the Kasbah Amredhil, famously depicted on the old 50 dirham banknote. This beautifully restored Kasbah is well worth a visit.
From here, you will journey along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs and through the stunning Valley of the Roses, reaching Kel’aa M’gouna. In this charming town, you can visit a local cooperative that produces cosmetic products from the valley’s abundant roses.
Upon arriving in the Dades Gorges, you will have lunch at a restaurant with a view of the valley. Afterwards, you will have time to stroll along the river through the gardens or take a walk up the road on the opposite side of the gorges before heading back to Ouarzazate.
After lunch, you can take a walk through the gorges and will return to Ouarzazate in the afternoon. Your driver will transfer you to your hotel bringing your desert trip to an end.
Map of the itinerary:
Prices on Request!
